'Iran Navy to deploy 24th fleet to Mediterranean Sea'

The Navy’s 24th fleet of warships will patrol the north of Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, the Red Sea, Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea for three months and will even sail as far as southeastern Asian countries."
Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari

Iran Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the Islamic Republic’s 24th fleet of warships will be deployed to the Mediterranean Sea.
“The Navy’s 24th fleet of warships will patrol the north of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, the Red Sea, Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea for three months and will even sail as far as southeastern Asian countries,” Sayyari said on Wednesday.
The Iranian commander added that the Navy’s 23rd fleet of warships would return to the country next week.
Referring to the Navy’s recent drill, dubbed Velayat 91, Sayyari said the maneuver displayed Iran’s naval capability and its ability to counter any threat against the interests of the Islamic Republic.
Iran Navy launched the six-day naval maneuvers on Friday in order to display the country’s capabilities to defend its maritime borders and maintain lasting peace in the region.
The exercises covered a vast area including the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, north of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
Sayyari added that enhancing the Iranian Navy’s combat capability is not a threat to any regional country and pursues defensive objectives.
“We announce that we are able to provide security in the region with the help of all neighboring countries,” the Iranian commander said.
Over the past few years, Iran has held several military drills to enhance the defensive capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and equipment.
The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, insisting that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.
MYA/HGH/SS